title: The patient-provider relationship as experienced by a diverse sample of highly adherent HIV-infected people.
abstract: Qualitative interviews with 23 HIV-infected people who self-reported high-level adherence to antiretroviral therapy were used to examine the process by which they came to accept their HIV infection and engage in high-level adherence behaviors. A major theme that emerged during data analysis was the importance of the patient-provider relationship. The quality of the relationship between patient and provider emerged as an important component of working through early struggles with diagnosis and the on-going struggles of living with a chronic illness. A variety of factors impacting the patient-provider relationship emerged as subthemes. What can be taken from this study is the importance of the patient-provider relationship in the effective self-management of HIV infection. Additionally, several specific behaviors can enhance the patient-provider relationship and help assure movement toward patient acceptance of the illness and engagement in high-level adherence behaviors.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brion
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents
keywords: HIV infection; acceptance; high-level adherence; patient–provider relationship